Etiquette and cultural norms evolve in us somewhat organically. We observe and mimic the patterns of behavior we see in other people, and eventually, those habits are solidified into the core of our being. Eventually, what we view as common courtesies become an unconscious exercise for us, and for as long as we stay within our home culture, it’s actually a good thing.
But if you start traveling to different countries and places where different cultures are dominant, it’s important to be willing to change your etiquette and your modes of behavior. Why is this the case and how can you do it?
Cultural Differences in Etiquette
Even simple daily actions, like going to the bathroom, are treated differently in different areas of the world, says BidetMate. Each country has its own unique history, with unique ethnic groups, religions, cultural practices, and local beliefs. Everything from folk tales to superstitions can have an influence on how people conduct themselves, and sometimes, rules of etiquette arise purely irrationally or persist only because of tradition.
In any case, rules of etiquette and personal conduct are going to be very different in different countries. It’s valuable to update your etiquette as you travel to a new country for several reasons:
· Avoiding offense. First and foremost, updating your etiquette is a matter of avoiding offense. Certain actions, even somewhat innocuous ones, can be considered acts of aggression in certain circumstances. Displaying the wrong hand gesture at the wrong time or failing to give a proper greeting could evoke anger in someone else or worse, escalate an already tense disagreement.
· Demonstrating respect. Learning the customs and rituals of another culture is a way of demonstrating respect to that culture. If you show that you’ve put in the effort to research these nuances and you actively try to blend in, the locals will appreciate it, even if you don’t get every detail correct. It’s a great way to build better relationships wherever you travel.
· Immersing. Some people appreciate learning about local etiquette and rules of conduct so they can have a much more immersive experience. One of the most important strategies for getting the most out of traveling is trying to blend in with the locals, rather than simply acting as a foreign tourist; practicing local etiquette is a prerequisite for this.
It’s also your responsibility to update your behavior, since you can’t reasonably expect an entire country to change around your standards. You are a guest in a totally different world, so it’s on you to update your behavior accordingly.
How to Change Your Etiquette When Traveling
So what strategies can you follow to change your etiquette when traveling?
· Learn the language. Most people prefer that you speak their language, even if your language is spoken widely in that country. Spend at least a few weeks trying to learn basic phrases, even if you don’t have plans to eventually become fluent in that language.
· Research customs and practices. If you know your destination country, do some online research to determine various customs, practices, rituals, and rules of conduct that may apply to you during your journey. For example, you can learn that in Brazil, it’s taboo to eat with your hands – even if you’re eating something like a sandwich or a slice of pizza, say the experts – or you can learn that in Japan, you should always allow someone else to pour your drink, rather than pouring one yourself. Chances are, there are dozens of little taboos to avoid and desirable behaviors to imitate.
· Absorb cultural media. As a supplementary measure, consider absorbing cultural media, such as watching local TV shows or reading books written in that country. It’s a passive way to help you better understand how people in this country behave and expect others to behave. That said, you shouldn’t blindly mimic a random TV show you watched; instead, media absorption should complement and reinforce what you learn elsewhere.
· Watch and mimic others closely. When you arrive in your destination country, pay close attention to how others behave and do your best to mimic them when appropriate to do so. For example, if you notice that people always shake hands a certain way or if they bow instead of shaking hands, follow suit.
· Ask for clarification. If there’s anything you’re confused about, consider asking a local for clarification. If you know someone who lives in this country or at least speaks the language, hit them up first. Otherwise, chances are good that a random stranger will be more than willing to help you avoid embarrassing yourself.
· Do your best to read others. Emotional cues can vary wildly from one place to the next, particularly because many cultures promote emotional suppression, says this reliable source. Still, you should try your best to read others and apologize if you’ve done something to offend someone.
· When in doubt, keep to yourself. If you’re ever in an ambiguous situation, or if there are cultural norms you don’t fully understand yet, default to keeping to yourself. It’s hard to offend someone if they don’t even notice you.
Etiquette in different areas can be complex and confusing, so don’t beat yourself up if you run into obstacles when preparing for your next trip. Any conscious effort you put into updating your expectations and behaviors is going to pay off.
